Cayman to host pharmacy conference

HSA Chief Pharmacist Colin Medford, left, and Deputy Chair for the 2018 CAP Conference Samantha Conolly hope to make the event both entertaining and educational.

This summer, Cayman will play host to the 38th annual conference for the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists, at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort.

The conference, which will be held from Aug. 12 to Aug. 19, will bring together pharmacists and healthcare professionals from across the Caribbean to discuss topics geared toward the advancement of pharmacy practice in Cayman.

Samantha Conolly, deputy chair of the conference and second vice president for the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists, said, “The last time Cayman hosted the event was 2007, but it was cut short because of the threat of a hurricane. I am very pleased to have the CAP conference return to Cayman after over 10 years.

“It is an opportunity for us to showcase our outstanding healthcare system as well as promote these beautiful islands and Caymanian hospitality which is unlike any other Caribbean islands.”

The conference will include an opening ceremony and formal presentations, a cultural experience night and a day to tour the island’s landmarks. There will also be a formal awards gala where several Caribbean pharmacists will be recognized for outstanding achievements in their profession.

“The practice of pharmacy in the Cayman Islands is relatively young in comparison to our Caribbean neighbors, who have had qualified practitioners for over 200 years,” said Health Services Authority Chief Pharmacist Colin Medford. “However, our islands are blessed with very high standards of professional practice in both the private and public sectors, which will definitely be highlighted during this event.”

Conference delegates, who are expected to come from all over the Caribbean, the U.S., U.K. and Canada, can attend continuing education sessions “while the public will benefit from visits to schools, hospitals, churches and other venues where public education sessions on a number of medical topics and issues will be held,” organizers said in a press release.